View synonyms for

predator

[ pred-uh-ter, -tawr ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Zoology. any organism that exists by preying upon other organisms:
Cats are carnivorous predators.
a person or group that plunders, pillages, or robs, as in war:
The Vikings were barbarian predators.
a person, group, or business that exploits, victimizes, or preys on others: corporate predators who go after smaller rivals.
a sexual predator who targets children;
corporate predators who go after smaller rivals.
an overbearing, greedy or selfish person.

predator

/ ˈ��ɛ��ə��ə /

noun

any carnivorous animal
a predatory person or thing

predator

An animal that lives by capturing and eating other animals.

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Other Word Forms

��·�پ�·��·��·�ٴǰ� noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of predator¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin ��ٴǰ� “plunderer, pillager,” equivalent to ��(��ī) “to plunder, pillage” (derivative of praeda “booty, plunder”) + -tor, agent noun suffix; prey, -tor

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

It’s just that every loop brings new nightmares, unknown dangers and different predators, never allowing the group to get ahead of things.

From

The males’ showiness might help attract females, but their displays can draw the attention of cats, birds and other potential predators.

From

He got stopped nearly naked and, for the first time in our eyes, he was becoming a sexual predator.

From

They hang out in the shallows and don’t bolt from predators.

From

While other states, including Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, have allowed wolf hunts to resume, California still forbids ranchers from taking aggressive measures to stop the predators.

From

predatism predatory

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